OBJECTIVETo investigate the biomechanical characters of human dura and its substitutes and to establish guidelines for selection of optimal repair materials for reconstruction of skull base defects.

METHODSA measurement of creep properties of human dura and its substitutes were conducted using biomechanical tests. The dynamic changes of biomechanical properties of canine dura obtained from skull base defects were observed as well.

RESULTSThe creep properties of human dura presented a linear-relationship between initial strain and stress, and the creep strain increased slowly with time. The creep compliance formula for human dura and its substitutes was as follows: J (t) = J(0) + Kf (t). The initial compliance of canine dura in skull base defects was reduced by 35%, 46% and 50%, respectively 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONThe optimal material for the repair of skull base defects can be estimated using creep compliance analysis. The less the compliance, the better the property of anti-protrusion. Fresh human dura is the least compliant and then in increasing order are lyophilized human dura, fresh human pericranium, Terylene and silicon membranes. The pattern of biomechanical characteristics of the dura mater at skull base defects shows that the strain ability of the dura mater decreases distinctly for 1 - 3 months and then remains almost unchanged for 3 - 6 months after surgery.